The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-10-02


father, brother. Miss Stannard. and Mars. would
soon come to her. With her precocious intelli-
gence rendered more acute since the dreadful
scenes at the plantation. Dy saw that she had
been from her home and was In the hands
of wicked man. and unless some one came to
her rescue she would never again see Candies
Bay And so Zermah knew not what to answer,
and in spite of all she could do, saw the child
gradually wasting away.
the winter season afforded no adequate protec-
ton The wind and the rain penetrated it on
all sides. But in the hot season, which was now
coming on IN this latitude. it at least provided
shelter from the heat of the sun. 1t was Oh
vided into rooms of unequal size. One was
narrow and badly lighted and did not communi
cate with tho open air, but with the other room,
which obtained it's light from p door that opened
on to the bank of the narrow channel. Zermah
aud DIV had been lodged in the same room, where
a litter of herbs served them for a bed.
The other room was occupied by Texar and
the Indian Squambo, who never left his master.
Fer furniture. they had table with many jars
of brandy, and glasses. and a few plates, sort
of cupboard for provisions, half squared tree
trunk for seat and two bundles OF herbs Tor
beds. The fire necessary to cook the meals was vas
angles of the wiewam, and 1t proved sutnciens
for the preparation of the dried meat and ven
ison that hunter could find on the Island, ana
the fruits and vegetables in almost wild state;
just enough, in fact, to keep them from dying
OF hunger.
him from Black Creek slept out of doors ike
the dogs, and like them served as guards on the
approaches. -,
lowed to go out and in they pleased. Ihey
were no longer imprisoned In their rooms. bnt
they were watched. The precaution was super,
huous for no one could the channel
without using the boat that WAS always in the safe
keeping of the blacks. And as she walked about
Zermah took careful notice OF the olncuitles Oh
escape.
The first day the half-breed was never out OF
SIGHT of Souambo. but she did not see Texar.
When night came she. however. heard the Span
I'd IN n ma
keep q strict watch. And soon all but German
were asleep in the wigwam
Up to then Zermah it should be said, had not
had single word spoken to her by Texar. AS
she assembled the river toward Lake Washington
she had in vain asked what he was gong TO 40
with her and the child. And while she spoke
the Spaniard contented himself with Struggling
his shoulders and fixing his cruel eyes on ner,
and looking if he scorned to answer. But
Zermah had no intention of giving in. When she
reached Carneral Island she resolved to attack
Texar 80 as excite his pity, if not for herself
at least for the unfortunate child, and. II MS
pitv failed her. to appeal to his self-interest.
An opportunity offered. The day after her
arrival while the little girl was asleep. German
walked out toward the channel by the side or
which Texar was then standing and giving
orders with Squambo to the slaves, VINO were at
work wedding. for the water was SO chokeo tnat
the barge could hardly pass. While this was
being done two of the negroes were striking the
surface of the water with long poles so as TO
brighten away the REPTILES whose READS appeared
every now and then above the surface.
moment afterwards Squamoo left his mas
ter and Texar was also going away when Ter
nah came up.
to you This will be the last time doubtless,
and beg you to hear me-.
The Spanihrd, who had Just lighted his cigar
cite did not answer, and Zermah, having waited
q few seconds, continued
'.Will you tell what you are going to do
with by Burbank
No reply.
II say nothing about my OWE fate. All have
to do with is that of this child, whose lite Is
in danger and who will eoon escape you"
At this Texar made a gesture of the most alb
soute incredibly.
..Yes, very soon." continued Zermah. '1f not
by flight it will be by DEATH"
The Spaniard took long Whit at his cigar
"Bah! The little girl will be all right after
few days rest. and reckon on your care. Ter
mah to retain its precious existence FOR u.s.
mo. repeat Before long the child will be
dead. and dead without any profit to yon;r
have her far from her dying mother, her father,
and her brother reduced to despairl"
"Be it So" said zsrmah You have your re-
to your advantage to give up the child than to
keep her here"
''What is that you say?'
81 say that you have made James Burbank
suffer enough; that now it Is your interest to
speak"
Certainly The plantation of Candles Bay
| has beer laid waste. Mrs. Burbank is dying
] perhaps dead at this moment; her daughter has
| ing to find her. All this has been done by you,
| Texar. 1 know it! ana have the right to tell
| you so to your face But take care! Your
| crimes will be discovered some day, and think OF
the punishment that will come to you Your
| best interest is to show pity. do not
| speak for myself though my husband will not
| find me when he rsturns. No. l speak only for
| the little girl who is dying. Keep me if you
| like but send the child back to Candies Bay to
! her mother; then they will never ask you about
! the past and if you want it they will even pay
| You well for the girls liberty: If l take upon
| myself to speak like this. and propose this ex-
| change, it is because know James Burbank
/ cause | know they would sacrifice all their for
tune to save the child, and I call God to witness
they will keep the promise their slave has
| Their slave?" exclaimed Texar ironically:
There are now no slaves at Camdless Bay
| There are; for in order to stay with my mas
! ter I refused to be set tres.'
.Indeed, Zermah, indeed" answered the
| Spaniard 'Wel since you do not mind being
| 8 slave we can understand each other. Six or
| seven years ago I wished to buy you of my
| friend Tickborn l offered for you. for you
alone, considerable sum- and you would have
bslong ed to ever since if James Burbank had
not got hold of you. Now have you, and
| will keep you"
BE it 50, Texar" said Zermah. 81 will be
| your slave. But the child! VIII you not give
her upp
| Texar 10 a tone of the deepest hatred. "Glve
| her up to her father2 Never!"
| .sVillain." exclaimed Zernah in anger. IF
her father does not take her from you, God
| will"
| grin a shrug of the shoulders and that was
| all the Spaniard's answer. He had rolled up a
second cigarette and lighted it camly with the
end of the last, and strolled off up the bank of
| the channel without another look at Zermah.
| who would have struck him as If he had been a
wild beast at the risk of being massacred by
Souambo and his companions, had she only had
| weapon. But she could do nothing Motion
less she stood and watched the blacks at work.
Nowhere friendly face; nothing but the faces
of brutes hardly seeming to be human. And she
went back to the wigwam to resume her part OF
mother the child who in a feeble voice was
calling her She tried to console the poor little
creature whom took in her arms and ami
mated with her kisses; and then she brought
the child outside and gave her a warm drink
made on the hearth. All she could do in her
state of restitution she did. by thanked her